New used Q3 Delta scroll saw owner needs help with blade selection

[etc6849]

I just bought my first scroll saw, a Delta 40-650 Q3 scroll saw off craigslist. It looks new except for one minor scrape on the carbon fiber C. The guy said he only used it a few times and wanted $150 so that's what I paid him.

I'd never used a scroll saw before, but I'm very impressed with the saw so far, I used it to cut some test curves in 3/4" oak just fine.

But I have a few questions:
1. What is the top brand of blade to buy? I don't mind paying some premium, but only want to if it will result in better cut quality. The blades I can use are 5" blades with flat ends.

I'd like to get a blade to cut: 360 degree patterns in thin wood and in 3/4" oak and another one to cut 1/8" thick aluminum. The aluminum is actually why I bought the saw as I didn't want to contaminate the tires on my large band saw with debris.

2. I'm guessing for tight curves, most use the spiral blades? Is there a certain type of steel that lasts longer etc...

3. The scroll saw takes almost a second to start going. Is this normal?

I ran it through 3/4" oak and the motor was only slightly warm. My guess is the start up torque rating of the motor is low, and it takes the most torque to start the initial up/down motion.

4. Rule of thumb for blade tension?

[Greenfield_Bob]

Welcome to the group.
Check Mike out for blades they are all use.

Mike's Workshop English featuring: my life story, a cancer survivor, scrollsawing samples and tips, community service, list of favorite sites and Flying Dutchman fretsaw blades for sale.

Bob

[wood-n-things]

Blades are readily available in a wide variety of types, sizes, tooth configurations and manufacturers. Probably the two most popular are Flying Dutchman and Olson blades.

Links to the blade suppliers can be found over in the left margin of this page, under Scroll Saw Resources > Retailers. Most folks will tell you that Mike's Workshop is the best place for the Flying Dutchman blades and Sloan's Woodshop is a good source for Olson blades. Call either one of them and you will talk to a real person who can give you first hand advice on their blades and they both offer great customer service. Personally I prefer Mikes blades...No relation BTW.
Here are links to both sites mentioned.

Mike's Workshop
Sloans

[hotshot]

Congrats on your great buy. The saw you purchase was highly esteemed back when it was still being manufactured. It is the prefered saw of the Rick Hutcheson who is well regarded in scroll saw circles.

You have already been given great advise as to brands. Very very talented scrollers have fans of both of these types of blades. I use both. You will find most blades will tend to veer to the right and we tend to adjust. Some of the precision ground blades from olson do not veer, but cost more. I would get a sampling from Both sources until you figure out what you like.

As per spirals, you will find that they are not a useful as you might think. Most users here do not use them at all. Get you a few and try them out, they are fun to play with, but I've yet to use them on a serious piece. Some use them veining when working on portraits.

Some saws have a "soft start" which is a safety mechanism. I don't know if the Q3 has that or not, but if so, that would explain the pause when starting.

For blade tension, the blade should not move sideways more than 1/8" with reasonable pressure. Some other users tension on sound, a high C I think.

For metal, there are special blades from both sources made for this specific purpose.

-------Randy

[3_M]

Randy,
"Some of the precision ground blades from olson do not veer".
The Ultra also cut straight as many have told me.
FD Mike

[western.flyer]

Randy and FD Mike are both right, the Ultra Reverse cuts straight also but is not as aggressive as the precision ground blades. The precision ground blades also have a wider kerf. If you really want to try spirals get the flat end spirals and save yourself a headache. For the metal I use the FD Ironman blades they seem to stay sharper longer as long as you keep your speed low. The best thing to do in my opinion is to just buy some different styles of blades and see which ones you like the best.